The Blues ran out to a 40-19 bonus-point win; a result that puts them right back into the hunt for the top six.
“It’s never really nice when your coach is questioning your attitude, but I think that’s what we needed,” Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu told Sky Sport.
“A bit of a wake-up call. It’s very frustrating for us as players getting that sort of message at this time of the season, but in saying that we got a good kick up the bum and performed well tonight.”
Cotter’s side still have work to do, but this was a strong start to a vital stretch in their season. The Blues finish their season with clashes away to the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika, the latter in Albany, and at home against the Waratahs, with a bye in the penultimate week of the season.
It was a gritty win for the hosts, who struggled to get out of their own territory for extended periods in the first half but defended resolutely to keep the Force out; the likes of Dalton Papali’i and Tuipulotu making some key turnovers to relieve pressure. The Blues scrum was also immense throughout the contest, winning penalties and being used as a weapon from close range.
The Force were, at times, their own foil as handling errors saw several of their attacks fizzle out.
When the Blues did get into attacking positions, they too might have been guilty of leaving a couple of opportunities out there, but ultimately opened the scoring through Marcel Renata a couple of phases after a scrum from 5m out. Some smart work from Beauden Barrett set Cole Forbes up soon after, the playmaker again starring for his side back in the No 10 jersey.
While the inevitable Carlo Tizzano got the Force on the board with his competition-leading 12th try of the season just before halftime, the Blues were in a strong position at the break.
They only went on with the job from there. A.J. Lam, replacing Stephen Perofeta at half time due to a calf niggle, scored in the opening moments of the half.
Kurtley Beale hit back for the Force five minutes later, but tries to Laghlan McWhannell and Forbes broke things open for the hosts.
The Force got one back through hooker Nic Dolly, but the Blues had the final say through Josh Beehre from close range.
They had to fight hand to save the bonus point in the end, though; Angus Ta’avao’s attempted kick to touch to end the game dribbling into a Force player and allowing them one last chance to rob the Blues of what could be a vital point in their season.
The hosts were able to survive the following attack, however, before Barrett put the ball into touch to secure the points.
Blues 40 (Cole Forbes 2, Marcel Renata, A.J. Lam, Laghlan McWhannell, Josh Beehre tries; Beauden Barrett 5 cons)
Western Force 19 (Carlo Tizzano, Kurtley Beale, Nic Dolly tries; Ben Donaldson 2 cons)
HT: 12-7
